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| 2002 - Frank
Schliestedt Germany, Jocelyn Wallace
Canada,
Erin Anderson Canada, Maricela
Mejia Dorantes Mexico, Lindsay Hendry,
Canada; Marjorie Sorensen, Canada; Kim Todd,
Canada; Alana Hendrix, Canada; Clara MacKenize,
Canada; Kelly Walshe, Great Britain; Carly
Elman, USA; Ben Loveless, USA; Crystal Henesse,
USA; Amanda Kubicek, USA; Elizabeth Brown, USA |
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| Frank
- Germany |
Before I came here I had not any
experiences with wild animals. So I was excited
how to handle with them. My first "patients"
were some Squirrels. I loved them, especially
"Jessa" and "Garfield" which
came to us with closed eyes and still helpless.
In the beginning I fed them every 3 hours with
the syringe. They were very greedy to drink the
milk, so I had to pay attention not to overfeed
them. Later I prepared them for the wilderness
and used them to eating nuts and fruits. In the
meanwhile both are released into a forest close
to the centre and are enjoying their freedom.
Another Highlight was "Max", a little
tiny deer, which we got at the age of 1 week.
Gail showed me how to feed and take care of him.
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| The first feeding was a bit
difficult, because he wasn't used to drinking
from the bottle. But that changed very quick,
when he accepted that I am his new "Dad".
It is interesting to watch how fast he grows
up and learns to eat brows, fruits and oats.
Now "Max" is 8 weeks old, bright,
very fat and always interested in food. It's
was a lot of work, but I had also fun with my
"Big Baby"!!! After almost 9 weeks
I can say it was an enrichment in my life and
I enjoyed my time with all the beautiful people
and animals here. Frank Schliestedt, Germany |
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| Jocelyn
- Salmon Arm, BC |
* Picture this: Eight crazy
raccoons, all including sharp teeth and nails,
trying to climb up your body as if it were a
tree
* Five angry skunks stomping their feet and
lifting their tails two feet away from you
* Two very sweet deer, eating your hair and
stepping on your bare feet with sharp hooves
* One fat hungry vegetarian marmot sinking his
huge teeth into your ankle, and not letting
go.Does this sound like a nightmare or the time
of your life. To me this was definitely the
time of my life! |
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But then my entire life I have
always known that whatever it was that I was going
to do, it would be with animals. I found out about
Critter Care on the Internet, and in my mind I
had no doubt that I would love it.
The day after my graduation I packed my bags and
made my way over to Langley. My first few days
at the centre were really hectic, there were five
interns, and three supervisors already there,
plus the countless volunteers and critters. And
everyone was getting ready for open house. It
seemed that there was so much to learn and do
that I would never get the hang of it. But on
my very first day at the centre I received the
news that I would be the caregiver of two baby
fawns, Max and Emma. I felt really lucky, because
of the fawn’s nature, very few people are
ever allowed to see the fawns, let alone go in
their pen. That is one of the really amazing
things about Critter Care. It doesn't matter
what your prior experience or education is,
if you have a want for knowledge they will teach
you. The experience Critter Care has to offer
is vast. There really is no better way to learn
about animal behaviour than to clean, feed and
play with them everyday. Such close constant
contact with the animals teaches you a lot.
The job of the intern is never - ending. You
take on so many roles: mother, teacher, vet,
janitor, and spokes-person. Sometimes all of
the work can really add up. Being on your feet
for twelve to fifteen hours a day gets tough,
patience can run thin, and the one thing you
need to have in full supply when dealing with
animals, especially raccoons, is patience. Then
you get a phone call from someone wanting to
remove or kill an animal that is wandering around
his or her yard.
It can get really stressful. But whenever my
day was going really bad I would take a break
and go and sit with my two little babies. There
is no more tranquil place in all of the world
than to sit with two fawns under the apple tree
in the fawn enclosure. I think this summer at
Critter Care was especially tough on everyone.
A lot of our animals got sick, and we lost a
few that we were really attached to. Luckily
there were so many great people to rely on.
For example, Gail, and all of the supervisors.
All of us interns really had close relationships
too, which I am very grateful for, because they
really made cleaning potties a lot more fun,
and Echo, who at night made my bed a lot dirtier,
but warmer, and she always made sure not to
eat my shoes. There are really so many dedicated
people at Critter Care that I can't mention
them all, but thank you everyone for making
my stay the best.
Love Jocelyn |
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| Erin
- Amprior, Ontario |
The days I spent at Critter Care
is time that I will deeply cherish. The experience
of being so close to these wild and beautiful
animals is something I will never forget. I have
worked with domestic animals before but the joy
of working with wild animals was very gratifying.
To know that each animal I helped with will soon
enjoy the wealth of freedom made the smelly potty
changing worth every second. To see those beautiful
little coon faces so full of love and spirit come
to greet me every morning made my days brighten.
The lack of fear and openness to love that these
little animals were capable of, made me realize
that this kind of love is possible with all animals.
We only need to open our hearts and minds to the
love that transcends from all God’s creatures.
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I want to thank all my little coon
and beaver brothers and sisters for giving me
this blessing. I would also like to thank all
the humans at Critter Care for making my stay
so comfortable and for taking my strict recycling
program in stride. The staff at Critter Care is
outstanding, their love for these animals is truly
genuine. Most of all want to thank a very beautiful
human named Gail Martin whose love and respect
for all our animal brothers and sisters is truly
admirable. Where would they be without you? You
gave me hope for the future of all animal welfare
and an experience I will never forget. Keep on
fighting for those who cannot speak for themselves
and continue to plant the seed of knowledge and
respect for all the wild and beautiful animals.
With love, Erin |
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| Marciela
- Mexico |
I enjoyed my stay here, It was
really fast. The internship was full of nice experiences.
I am glad I was accepted to be part of the wildlife
rahabilitators team, which is full of enthusiastic,
hardworking and experienced people, from whom
I had learnt a lot. Having the opportunity to
work together in the wildlife rehabilitation was
awesome!. The releases were one of the best parts.
I can't tell how exciting it is for us and for
the animals to go back to nature, were they belong.
It was also interesting learn how people deal
with wildlife and how willing is everybody to
support the activities of the centre with their
volunteer work or with donations, and how enthusiastic
everybody is to care take of wildlife and nature,
cause it belongs to everybody.
I also had lots of fun, I really didn't expect
being in such a friendly and kind environment,
and I will miss the centre and all the people
that makes possible this centre for giving wildlife
and nature a chance and never give up.
Maricela |
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